Primary Care of the Patient with Chronic Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a growing burden on the health care system in the United States and worldwide. Emerging roles for primary care providers in the evaluation and treatment of hepatitis C will be critical in accomplishing the goal of treating more patients. Primary care providers can conduct the pretreatment evaluation, as well as patient and family support, counseling, and education. Primary care based treatment for chronic hepatitis C can also extend access to more patients, including previously excluded patients.